Postgraduate conference
Has anyone been to one? I will give a talk in two weeks and trying to prepare my presentation. I have never been to one and this is the first time I will present. I will present my dissertation can anyone one give me some advice.
So I will give an introduction state the problem
hypothesis
method
analysis
results
discussion
implications
conclusion
limitations
suggest idea for further research
it is meant to be 20 minutes. Am I on the right track?
thanks
G_S
So I will give an introduction state the problem
hypothesis
method
analysis
results
discussion
implications
conclusion
limitations
suggest idea for further research
it is meant to be 20 minutes. Am I on the right track?
thanks
G_S
That sounds about right. I gave my first conference paper a couple of weeks ago and allowed about two minutes per slide/topic, but obviously it depends on the relative importance of the topic - your results might be longer than your methodology, for example, and depending on the kind of analysis you did that might go together with methodology or results. The nature of your audience might have a bearing on that - mine was very interdisciplinary so I didn't dwell hugely on all the stats I used for analysis and moved on to results.
Some topics I combined as I went along because they went together naturally; e.g. I discussed conclusions and limitations of a particular study that I'd done together because it seemed logical to do so, and fed into the rationale for my second study.
Some people also like to give a quick overview of what they're going to be saying before they begin - this follows the old "tell 'em what you're going to say, say it, and tell 'em what you told 'em" model. I know some people think that's a bit outdated but personally I find it quite helpful to be told what to expect as a listener.
Are you using PowerPoint? I did, and I found it quite reassuring to have some "back pocket" slides at the end which addressed limitations or criticisms that I thought the audience might throw at me (although I really hoped not!) beyond those I had already covered. I didn't end up showing them but it made me feel more confident that I had them there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Some topics I combined as I went along because they went together naturally; e.g. I discussed conclusions and limitations of a particular study that I'd done together because it seemed logical to do so, and fed into the rationale for my second study.
Some people also like to give a quick overview of what they're going to be saying before they begin - this follows the old "tell 'em what you're going to say, say it, and tell 'em what you told 'em" model. I know some people think that's a bit outdated but personally I find it quite helpful to be told what to expect as a listener.
Are you using PowerPoint? I did, and I found it quite reassuring to have some "back pocket" slides at the end which addressed limitations or criticisms that I thought the audience might throw at me (although I really hoped not!) beyond those I had already covered. I didn't end up showing them but it made me feel more confident that I had them there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Original post by Gherkins
That sounds about right. I gave my first conference paper a couple of weeks ago and allowed about two minutes per slide/topic, but obviously it depends on the relative importance of the topic - your results might be longer than your methodology, for example, and depending on the kind of analysis you did that might go together with methodology or results. The nature of your audience might have a bearing on that - mine was very interdisciplinary so I didn't dwell hugely on all the stats I used for analysis and moved on to results.
Some topics I combined as I went along because they went together naturally; e.g. I discussed conclusions and limitations of a particular study that I'd done together because it seemed logical to do so, and fed into the rationale for my second study.
Some people also like to give a quick overview of what they're going to be saying before they begin - this follows the old "tell 'em what you're going to say, say it, and tell 'em what you told 'em" model. I know some people think that's a bit outdated but personally I find it quite helpful to be told what to expect as a listener.
Are you using PowerPoint? I did, and I found it quite reassuring to have some "back pocket" slides at the end which addressed limitations or criticisms that I thought the audience might throw at me (although I really hoped not!) beyond those I had already covered. I didn't end up showing them but it made me feel more confident that I had them there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Some topics I combined as I went along because they went together naturally; e.g. I discussed conclusions and limitations of a particular study that I'd done together because it seemed logical to do so, and fed into the rationale for my second study.
Some people also like to give a quick overview of what they're going to be saying before they begin - this follows the old "tell 'em what you're going to say, say it, and tell 'em what you told 'em" model. I know some people think that's a bit outdated but personally I find it quite helpful to be told what to expect as a listener.
Are you using PowerPoint? I did, and I found it quite reassuring to have some "back pocket" slides at the end which addressed limitations or criticisms that I thought the audience might throw at me (although I really hoped not!) beyond those I had already covered. I didn't end up showing them but it made me feel more confident that I had them there.
Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun!
Thanks alot for that!! I have just finished creating my powerpoint presentation and now need to practice what I will be saying. I haven't written much on powerpoint just headings and so I will expand on them. It took me ages to put together. My supervisor is really busy and she won't be able to have a look at it..so I am quite worried!
Original post by shiny
Practice giving the talk to yourself (like properly speak out loud) and time it.
This!
And tape recorders are worth the investment.
Original post by WoWZa
I recently came back from a conference, presented a paper there and it was absolutely brilliant. My advice is to rehearse the presentation, don't include too much info on the slides and talk to other people about their research.
Hi
thanks for that. So I haven't written much on the slides. And now just need to practice.
Original post by G_S
Thanks everyone! I am having one problem my study was quite complex and I am not sure if it is coherent
If your worried that it's too complex, cut it down. I think it's better to present less material in a more comprehensive (and comprehensible) way than trying to shove more material in and having no one follow you.
Don't be afraid of handouts - particularly if you want to use the space to define terms, define the scope of the project or put extra information on (so you can say things like 'I am going to take x as given for the purpose of this study, for further information on x and why it is given see point 3 on the handout and the discussion in so-and-so in the bibliography.')
Read it to someone in your field but not your specialty - get them to pick out all the specialty-specific 'buzzwords' that others might not understand. This will also give you a good indication of what level of assumed knowledge you can run with.
And, this may sound silly or obvious but write like speech. I've seen too many conference papers delivered that were written like writing - obviously just cut and pasted from the thesis, or whatever work it was from. I have also fallen into this trap before when running out of time to prepare and it never goes that well.
Original post by Ellim
If your worried that it's too complex, cut it down. I think it's better to present less material in a more comprehensive (and comprehensible) way than trying to shove more material in and having no one follow you.
Don't be afraid of handouts - particularly if you want to use the space to define terms, define the scope of the project or put extra information on (so you can say things like 'I am going to take x as given for the purpose of this study, for further information on x and why it is given see point 3 on the handout and the discussion in so-and-so in the bibliography.')
Read it to someone in your field but not your specialty - get them to pick out all the specialty-specific 'buzzwords' that others might not understand. This will also give you a good indication of what level of assumed knowledge you can run with.
And, this may sound silly or obvious but write like speech. I've seen too many conference papers delivered that were written like writing - obviously just cut and pasted from the thesis, or whatever work it was from. I have also fallen into this trap before when running out of time to prepare and it never goes that well.
Don't be afraid of handouts - particularly if you want to use the space to define terms, define the scope of the project or put extra information on (so you can say things like 'I am going to take x as given for the purpose of this study, for further information on x and why it is given see point 3 on the handout and the discussion in so-and-so in the bibliography.')
Read it to someone in your field but not your specialty - get them to pick out all the specialty-specific 'buzzwords' that others might not understand. This will also give you a good indication of what level of assumed knowledge you can run with.
And, this may sound silly or obvious but write like speech. I've seen too many conference papers delivered that were written like writing - obviously just cut and pasted from the thesis, or whatever work it was from. I have also fallen into this trap before when running out of time to prepare and it never goes that well.
Ok great! at the begining I define two key words..and I do this because when I spoke to my supervisor at the begining she was like what does this mean!!! I feel better now, thanks.
Remember to gauge the presentation for your audience. How broad will the conference be in terms of subject areas represented? The broader the conferece, the more need there is to focus on background (context) and keep your findings at a higher level. If you are presenting to a group of experts in your area then you can skip the context and focus on the nitty gritty.
Original post by shiny
Most important of all though ... just go out there and enjoy it.
That's true..
I keep on saying that to my self. But the other part of me says I will bring shame to the department Original post by ChemistBoy
Remember to gauge the presentation for your audience. How broad will the conference be in terms of subject areas represented? The broader the conferece, the more need there is to focus on background (context) and keep your findings at a higher level. If you are presenting to a group of experts in your area then you can skip the context and focus on the nitty gritty.
I will be the only one presenting for my subject area..so I gues it is going to be quiet broad and I have tried to keep it simple so everyone will understand what is happening.
Original post by G_S
That's true.. I keep on saying that to my self. But the other part of me says I will bring shame to the department
I keep on saying that to my self. But the other part of me says I will bring shame to the department Even then, at least you'll be memorable
Besides, it can't be worse than presenting with a hangover ...
Original post by G_S
I will be the only one presenting for my subject area..so I gues it is going to be quiet broad and I have tried to keep it simple so everyone will understand what is happening.
Best way. Just make sure to give some context to this (i.e. the why? of the research), otherwise your audience won't care.
Original post by G_S
I will be the only one presenting for my subject area..so I gues it is going to be quiet broad and I have tried to keep it simple so everyone will understand what is happening.
Original post by ChemistBoy
Best way. Just make sure to give some context to this (i.e. the why? of the research), otherwise your audience won't care.
One of the most helpful things I ever did was my teaching in higher education course (so I could tutor undergrads). I had to do a 15 minute presentation to the rest of the group: and I was the only scientist. So I had to go right back to basics: this is DNA. This is a gene. This is a base. Yada yada yada. It sounds daft but it really made me think about how much jargon I use. Bearing in mind that my work is quite specific, and my department is very ecology based (whole animals) with only a couple of molecular groups like mine, the exercise was incredibly useful. I know someone already suggested practising with a non-specialist, but I would seriously recommend even practising on your housemates. You don't need to change your slides, but you do need to be able to answer all their questions. My housemate didn't even do science A-levels, but she still asks annoyingly probing questions that I sometimes realise I don't know the answers to!How long is the conference? If it's a residential one, and you're not on the first day, then for goodness sake make sure you have a computer with you. I saw a girl on day 3 of a four day conference give easily the worst presentation I've ever seen. On day 1 it might be forgiveable. But after sitting through 2 days of good presentations, she should have known well enough to alter her slides!
Also, make sure you breathe. It sounds daft but I actually had a picture of a wheat field in my most recent presentation at a break between sections as a reminder to myself to take a really deep breath and drink some water. It's too easy to ramble on without pausing and suddenly finding your mouth too dry to speak!
One more awesome piece of advice that I've been given before that I just thought of: take a bottle of water up to the podium with you. Keep the lid on. If you find yourself getting flustered, too nervous, etc. pick up the bottle and take a sip. Replace the cap.
It will give you enough time to take a breath, collect yourself, and calm down and everyone in the audience will just assume that you had a bit of a dry mouth.
It will give you enough time to take a breath, collect yourself, and calm down and everyone in the audience will just assume that you had a bit of a dry mouth.
Original post by Bekaboo
One of the most helpful things I ever did was my teaching in higher education course (so I could tutor undergrads). I had to do a 15 minute presentation to the rest of the group: and I was the only scientist. So I had to go right back to basics: this is DNA. This is a gene. This is a base. Yada yada yada. It sounds daft but it really made me think about how much jargon I use. Bearing in mind that my work is quite specific, and my department is very ecology based (whole animals) with only a couple of molecular groups like mine, the exercise was incredibly useful. I know someone already suggested practising with a non-specialist, but I would seriously recommend even practising on your housemates. You don't need to change your slides, but you do need to be able to answer all their questions. My housemate didn't even do science A-levels, but she still asks annoyingly probing questions that I sometimes realise I don't know the answers to!
How long is the conference? If it's a residential one, and you're not on the first day, then for goodness sake make sure you have a computer with you. I saw a girl on day 3 of a four day conference give easily the worst presentation I've ever seen. On day 1 it might be forgiveable. But after sitting through 2 days of good presentations, she should have known well enough to alter her slides!
Also, make sure you breathe. It sounds daft but I actually had a picture of a wheat field in my most recent presentation at a break between sections as a reminder to myself to take a really deep breath and drink some water. It's too easy to ramble on without pausing and suddenly finding your mouth too dry to speak!
One of the most helpful things I ever did was my teaching in higher education course (so I could tutor undergrads). I had to do a 15 minute presentation to the rest of the group: and I was the only scientist. So I had to go right back to basics: this is DNA. This is a gene. This is a base. Yada yada yada. It sounds daft but it really made me think about how much jargon I use. Bearing in mind that my work is quite specific, and my department is very ecology based (whole animals) with only a couple of molecular groups like mine, the exercise was incredibly useful. I know someone already suggested practising with a non-specialist, but I would seriously recommend even practising on your housemates. You don't need to change your slides, but you do need to be able to answer all their questions. My housemate didn't even do science A-levels, but she still asks annoyingly probing questions that I sometimes realise I don't know the answers to!How long is the conference? If it's a residential one, and you're not on the first day, then for goodness sake make sure you have a computer with you. I saw a girl on day 3 of a four day conference give easily the worst presentation I've ever seen. On day 1 it might be forgiveable. But after sitting through 2 days of good presentations, she should have known well enough to alter her slides!
Also, make sure you breathe. It sounds daft but I actually had a picture of a wheat field in my most recent presentation at a break between sections as a reminder to myself to take a really deep breath and drink some water. It's too easy to ramble on without pausing and suddenly finding your mouth too dry to speak!
Hi ya
thanks for this advice. My presentation is 20 minutes. I tried presenting to my sister today who has no background knowledge of my area and she was like what is a lexical/functional item. I do define other key terms at the begining that I know the majority may not know but just assumed everyone will know the meaning of these two
if I end up defining words I will be there forever!Original post by Ellim
One more awesome piece of advice that I've been given before that I just thought of: take a bottle of water up to the podium with you. Keep the lid on. If you find yourself getting flustered, too nervous, etc. pick up the bottle and take a sip. Replace the cap.
It will give you enough time to take a breath, collect yourself, and calm down and everyone in the audience will just assume that you had a bit of a dry mouth.
It will give you enough time to take a breath, collect yourself, and calm down and everyone in the audience will just assume that you had a bit of a dry mouth.
Hey
I never thought of this
thanks
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